Race and classic pictures

A meeting of two different types of Holiness

Given his outstanding career, we like to think of Mario Andretti as His Holiness of motorsport.

The 77-year-old legend and 1978 F1 world champion was honored and overjoyed however to meet his religious equivalent, Pope Francis, posting this image on Twitter.

Mario apparently offered the pontiff a ride in IndyCar's two-seater next year, to which Pope Francis answered, "I'd love it Mr. Andretti, but you'll have to come to confession first!"

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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